New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-02
4 WITNESS WITH d FAD MEMORY.

GENERAL cATLIy's FORMER CHIEF CLERK CANNOT
REMEMBER ABOUT THE INDICTMENTS.
The Brooklyn Investigating Committee resumed
work Yesterday under the extension OF lime granted
TO it by the Legislature on Thursday. Three OF the
nrevious Witnesses ex-Assistant District Attorney
Backus, Under Sheriff Mclaughlin. and Charities
Commissioner RAY, were recallcd, and exChef Clerk
Bacon OF tho DlstricAttomeys office, County store
keeper Gilbert Hicks. and Contractor II. f. Towns
bend who witness has alleged carried bis once
in his hat" also examined ony three oil tho
five members OF the Committee were present. Mr.
Backus repe ,ted and confirmed his previous tc-u-
mony in regard to his carrying out the instruction.
given him by General Catiin to prosecute all gam
bling cases Not "a single case against booksellers Was
left untried The only indictments dis"issod were
nIoin how thew were dismissed. Mr. Bsckus charac-
iarzed policy playing ss the meancst form OF gam
bling lie testified that John Y. Mokane. Super isor
of ravcsend gave bail for arrested Tor gambling
When Mt Mex ne was indicted the case would have
been tried but Tor tho absence OF witnesses. Mr..
Backus said he had no doubt that the C9ney Island
JUSTICES of the peace in league with tie gam
bcrs Oh the race tracks.
William H. Bacon, chief clerk In the Ds,r!ct-Attor-
news oaico under General Catin for six years, and
now "A hotel keeper at Smith lille South, l.. l., was
then called His evidence In regard TO the dismsse
indictments OF little importance, as he could not
recall the details OF n transaction which occurred
nearly three and "a half years ago. lie always got the
indictments wanted IN tho DistrictA attorneys office
from the clerk Of the Court OF Sessions. lie could
not tell what he did with the dismissed iocy mdict
meuts The matter had faded out Of his mind because
he had never expected to hear OF the again He
had tried to think the matter out, but could not He
denied tina, he had struggled tho indictments among
those which were properly dismissed. All be did
10 get the indictments for the District Attorney or
his assistants. The witness admitted visiting Coney
Island race tracks during bis vacation
Under-Sherl Mclaughlin and Charities Commits
sioner Raw added little 10 their previous testimony.
Gilbert Hicks the county storekeeper testified in re-
card TO the duties of his place. Some OF the contrac-
ors bid under the market price. He did not think the
county could be swinded by short weight, IA he o"
his assistant weighed everything. lie suspected no
fraud In any OF the contracts, but II there was any he
would ferret 1t ont. II goods were not up to the
proner standard they sent back to the cvntrac
tor There had been 10 failure to Keep n contract
recently except in coal when the price went up.
Contractor II. l.. Townshend vas questioned III re-
card To his business. He said he had Office at No.
81 Wcst-st Tie dealt in all the articles he furnished
| 10 tie county and 10 the city. His contracts last
wear amounted TO $4,000 lie had been furnishing
aunl,.s ter i've or six years. lie admitted that he
Kent no books but Deepen dcd upon his memory and the
! bills mado out with the goods which we're not al
lowed TO rum At the adjournment Oi the session the
questioning OF Mr. Townshend not finished and he
| will be recalled to-day
| After the committee al uurncd Anthony Comstock
and Foster L. Backus had angry alteration In the
corridor of the City Hall. The former accused Mr..
| Back IA of holding back indictment against a
notorious poicy-dealer named Fuller Tor two years.
| and Mr.. Backus denied 1t. lie appealed to Mr.. Com
stock TO know whether he had not SAID that he
fBackuD had done all he could to prosecute gamblers
| and have them cent to the penitenary. but Com
stock was in angry mood ana would not a":nt any
| thing. The alteration drew crowd OF listener,
| who thought the two men would come to blows